THE SNP rule breaker MP who travelled from London to Scotland and back while infected with coronavirus is under massive pressure to quit as FOUR of her own colleagues demand her resignation.
Ian Blackford, SNP leader in Westminster, has suspended the whip from Margaret Ferrier and said she needs to seriously “reflect” on her position as an MP after “breaking the law”.
Ms Ferrier confessed about her massive Covid breach last night.
The MP for Rutherglen & Hamilton West in Scotland became sick over the weekend and took a coronavirus test on Saturday afternoon.
But bizarrely, once Ms Ferrier started feeling better on Sunday evening she travelled four hours from Scotland to London before getting her result back.
Scottish coronavirus laws direct anyone with symptoms who has taken a coronavirus test to self-isolate until the results come back.
Ms Ferrier spoke in the House of Commons later that day, during a “General debate on Covid-19” – before receiving a positive result back on Monday evening.
The MP then made the 400 mile return journey by train, despite knowing she had the virus and risking infecting others.
Ms Ferrier reported herself to cops and now faces a £4000 fine if her actions are deemed “reckless”.
In her statement she said she “deeply regretted” her actions and took “full responsibility”.
Ms Ferrier has been blasted by a handful of her own colleagues and demands for her resignation have been falling thick and fast since her admission.
Mr Blackford blasted Ms Ferrier’s actions as “inexcusable”.
He told BBC News: “I have expressed my anger… the case here is pretty clear. She had a test for Covid-19 and while waiting for the results of that test she travelled by train to London.
“There is no defence for such behaviour I’m afraid, as a public figure, you’ve got to recognise you’ll be held up to public scrutiny and be judged on the things that you do.”
“Margaret is going to have to reflect very carefully on the actions and will have to consider her position in the light of all of this.”
When pressed on whether Ms Ferrier will resign, Mr Blackford repeated she needs to reflect, saying: “I’m afraid that when you break the law, because that’s what this is… she will have to reflect very carefully as to whether she can continued as a member of Parliament.”
HEADS MUST ROLL
Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon stormed: “It’s hard to express just how angry I feel on behalf of people across the country making hard sacrifices every day to help beat Covid.
“The rules apply to everyone and they’re in place to keep people safe.”
David Linden, the SNP MP for the Glasgow East constituency next to Ms Ferrier’s, has demanded her resignation.
He told BBC Question Time her actions were “utterly inexcusable”, adding: “I don’t think her position is tenable and she should resign.”
Kirsty Blackman, MP for Aberdeen North, said she agreed with Mr Linden that she “must resign”.
She said: “Margaret’s actions cannot be overlooked”.
MP for Aberdeen South Stephen Flynn said he was “beyond livid” and that it was “impossible to disagree” with calls for her to quit.
“The public will expect nothing less,” Mr Flynn added.
Ian Murray, Labour’s Shadow Scottish Secretary responded to Ms Ferrier’s statement on her Covid-19 diagnosis saying: “This is astonishing recklessness from an SNP MP, which has put people’s health at risk.
“Through her irresponsible actions, she very possibly has passed on the virus to a vulnerable person, who may now have COVID-19 and be in danger. She has put passengers, rail staff, fellow MPs, Commons staff and many others at unacceptable risk.”
“To breach the rules twice is simply unforgivable, and has undermined all the sacrifices made by her constituents.”
The Aslef train drivers’ union tweeted: “Rail staff have worked throughout this pandemic to make sure the network could serve the public.
“We’ve worked day in, day out to keep our railway as safe as possible for passengers and staff. For an MP to get on a train knowing she has Covid-19 is both dangerous and disgraceful.”
